Career and Education Opportunities for Forestry Conservation Workers in Elizabeth, New Jersey

Forestry conservation workers can find both educational opportunities and jobs in the Elizabeth, New Jersey area. There are currently 1,200 working forestry conservation workers in New Jersey; this should grow by 15% to about 1,400 working forestry conservation workers in the state by 2016. This is better than the national trend for forestry conservation workers, which sees this job pool growing by about 8.5% over the next eight years. In general, forestry conservation workers , under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect forest, forested areas, and woodlands through such activities as raising and transporting tree seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to trees; and building erosion and water control structures and leaching of forest soil.

The income of a forestry conservation worker is about $8 per hour or $16,860 annually on average in New Jersey. In the U.S. as a whole, their income is about $10 per hour or $22,850 per year on average. Earnings for forestry conservation workers are the same as earnings in the general category of Forestry in New Jersey and the same as general Forestry category earnings nationally.

There are 298 schools of higher education in the Elizabeth area, including one within twenty-five miles of Elizabeth where you can get a degree to start your career as a forestry conservation worker. Forestry conservation workers usually hold a Bachelor's degree, so you can expect to spend about four years studying to be a forestry conservation worker if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Forestry Conservation Worker

Forestry Conservation Worker video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, forestry conservation workers, under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect forest, forested areas, and woodlands through such activities as raising and transporting tree seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to trees; and building erosion and water control structures and leaching of forest soil. They also includes forester aides, seedling pullers, and tree planters.

Forestry conservation workers talk with other staff to consider issues such as safety and work needs. Finally, forestry conservation workers check machinery to insure that it is operating properly.

Every day, forestry conservation workers are expected to be able to evaluate problems as they arise. They need to lift, push and move large and heavy objects. It is also important that they articulate ideas and problems.

It is important for forestry conservation workers to fight forest fires or perform prescribed burning tasks under the direction of fire suppression officers or forestry technicians. They are often called upon to perform fire protection and suppression duties such as constructing fire breaks and disposing of brush. They also maintain campsites and recreational areas, replenishing firewood and other supplies, and cleaning kitchens and restrooms. They are sometimes expected to sow and harvest cover crops such as alfalfa. Somewhat less frequently, forestry conservation workers are also expected to maintain tallies of trees examined and counted during tree marking and measuring efforts.

Forestry conservation workers sometimes are asked to decide on tree seedlings, ready the ground, and plant the trees in reforestation areas, using manual planting tools. They also have to be able to operate a skidder, bulldozer or other prime mover to pull a variety of scarification or site preparation machinery over areas to be regenerated And finally, they sometimes have to operate a skidder, bulldozer or other prime mover to pull a variety of scarification or site preparation machinery over areas to be regenerated.

Like many other jobs, forestry conservation workers must be reliable and have exceptional integrity.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Elizabeth include:

Livestock Farmer. Attend to live farm, ranch, or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, castrating, branding, de-beaking, weighing, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Forestry Conservation Worker Training

SUNY at Purchase College - Purchase, NY

SUNY at Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase, NY 10577-1400. SUNY at Purchase College is a small college located in Purchase, New York. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 4,155 students and an admission rate of 24%. SUNY at Purchase College has a bachelor's degree program in Natural Resources/Conservation which graduated four students in 2008.

CERTIFICATIONS

Arborist / Municipal Specialist:
This credential was developed by the ISA and the Society of Municipal Arboriculture for those involved in managing the complex aspect of trees in an urban environment.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Elizabeth, New Jersey

Elizabeth, New Jersey photo by Cobber17

Elizabeth is situated in Union County, New Jersey. It has a population of over 124,755, which has grown by 3.5% over the last ten years. The cost of living index in Elizabeth, 140, is far greater than the national average. New single-family homes in Elizabeth are valued at $321,400 on average, which is far greater than the state average. In 2008, eight new homes were constructed in Elizabeth, up from six the previous year.

The three most popular industries for women in Elizabeth are health care, educational services, and accommodation and food services. For men, it is construction, accommodation and food services, and other transportation, and support activities, and couriers. The average travel time to work is about 28 minutes. More than 12.1% of Elizabeth residents have a bachelor's degree, which is lower than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 4.2%, is lower than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Elizabeth is 12.4%, which is greater than New Jersey's average of 9.3%.

The percentage of Elizabeth residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 65.5%, is more than both the national and state average. First Pentecostal Church, Christ Episcopal Church and Alliance International Fellowship Church are some of the churches located in Elizabeth. The largest religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the American Baptist Churches in the USA.

Elizabeth is home to the North Elizabeth Station and the Julian Station as well as Kellogg Park and Jackson Park. Visitors to Elizabeth can choose from Hampton Inn Newark-Airport, Centro America Express and Hilton Newark Airport for temporary stays in the area.